Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Two Promising Law Students in Nagpur
In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the academic community, two third-year students from Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) in Nagpur lost their lives late Wednesday night. Saksham Bansod and Aryan Sontakke, both aged 21, died after their motorcycle plunged into an 85-foot-deep gorge along the Waranga Toli road near Butibori. The tragedy unfolded on a poorly illuminated stretch frequently used as a shortcut by university staff and students.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The accident occurred near a T-point located behind the Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, close to the MNLU campus. According to police reports, the two students had gone out for dinner on Wednesday evening to a hotel in Dongargaon. They departed from the establishment around 10:50 PM, heading towards Butibori. Aryan Sontakke, who was operating the motorcycle registered as MH-49-CR-1457, reportedly lost control of the vehicle at the critical T-point. The motorcycle veered off the road and fell into the deep gorge, resulting in fatal injuries for both young men. Authorities confirmed that both students died instantly at the scene.
Delayed Discovery and Search Efforts
The incident remained undetected for several hours, compounding the tragedy. Sontakke had inadvertently left his mobile phone at the hotel, which the manager noticed past midnight. Attempts were made to trace the students by contacting numbers stored in the device, eventually alerting hostel authorities. This prompted an extensive search operation involving friends and wardens that continued until approximately 4 AM, though no results were found. It was not until around 7 AM on Thursday that a passerby spotted the two bodies in the gorge and immediately alerted the Butibori police station.
Police Investigation and University Response
A police team rushed to the location, conducted the necessary panchnama procedures, and identified the victims through their identity cards. The bodies were subsequently sent to AIIMS for postmortem examination, and a case of accidental death has been officially registered. MNLU Registrar Deepak Bhagwat confirmed the deaths, stating succinctly that both students "died in an accident" while declining further comments. Vice-Chancellor Vijender Kumar provided additional context, noting that the motorcycle "fell in deep gorge at a T-point near our college's back side." He highlighted that illumination is available only up to a certain point on that stretch, beyond which complete darkness prevails.
Community Mourning and Safety Concerns
The university was closed on Thursday as a mark of respect and to offer condolences for the tragic loss. Vice-Chancellor Kumar emphasized that the institution "will be extending all help to their families" during this difficult time. Students familiar with the area described the route as a risky shortcut often utilized despite known dangers due to poor visibility. One fellow student remarked, "The students could not have seen the gorge in the darkness," pointing to the absence of adequate lighting and warning signage along the hazardous stretch.
Background of the Deceased Students
Saksham Bansod, aged 21, was the son of a senior district judge based in Wardha and resided in the Manish Nagar-Besa area of Nagpur. His friend and fellow victim, Aryan Sontakke, also 21, was the son of a lawyer and hailed from Yavatmal. Both young men were pursuing their legal education at one of Maharashtra's premier law institutions, their promising futures cut short by this devastating accident.
